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I have had symptoms of sjogrens for past two years. I have been to multiple doctors, for dry eyes, mouth, dry skin, cracked lips, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, stomach issues, insomnia and hair falling out. I went to a rheumatologist and all my test came out good. My rheumatologist referred me to ear, nose and throats specialist. He said he could do a lip biopsy, but I didn't want to go through the procedure due to infection or complications. I have been researching this disease and reading forums, and have become very depressed and can't stop crying. I am having a hard time accepting all this. I have always been a strong person, but I feel like I have no strength right now and I'm losing all hope,
2 likes, 17 replies
frustrated61 dianne12100
Posted
hi dianne ~
I came across this article and just took the part that pertains to your question:
How is Sjögren’s Syndrome diagnosed?
Sjögren’s Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, and for that reason, is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This happens so often that the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation reports that it takes an average of six and a half years from the time symptoms are first noticed until a diagnosis is made. The symptoms can be confusing since they’re often the same as those seen in menopause, as well as drug side effects, allergies and with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms don’t always occur at the same time, and since they can involve more than one body system, physicians and dentists may not realize that a systemic disease is at the root of the various problems.
lily65668 frustrated61
Posted
Amen to that last sentence, frustrated61! I went round doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists and dermatologists with a whole ragbag of different symptoms for 10 years before I got diagnosed. I kept getting told it was allergy, old age - I was 51 when it all started - and plain, old-fashioned "dunno" (with a subtext of "don't care"
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